Definition of infertility: If a couple have regular unprotected sex, not conceived after 12 months, they can be diagnosed as infertility. As to a woman who over 35, if after 6 months trying without conceiving, she can also be diagnosed as infertility. Males factor accounts 40% of infertility, female factor accounts another 40%, 10% with both partners and in a further 10% the cause is unknown.

 

Main causes for female infertility

 

Endometriosis

 

This condition, in which the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, is a major cause of infertility in women. Main symptoms of endometriosis includes: painful menstrual periods, irregular or heavy bleeding, possibly repeated miscarriages. This can be corrected by laparoscopic surgery and IVF may help conceive.

 

Ovulation problems

 

Many conditions, especially usually hormonal imbalance prevents the release of a mature egg from ovaries. Main symptom includes absent or infrequent periods; excessively heavy or light bleeding. Ovulation-stimulating drugs such as clomiphene, follicle-stimulating hormones, human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) using these drugs. You can choose acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to assist your medical doctor’s treatment.

 

Poor egg quality

 

Eggs that become damaged or develop chromosomal abnormalities cannot sustain a pregnancy. Usually it is age-related. Normally egg quality declines significantly in the late 30s and early 40s. An egg donor may be used. Polycystic ovary syndrome Patients whose ovaries contain many small cysts have hormone imbalances and do not ovulate regularly. Irregular menstrual periods, excessive hair growth, acne and weight gain. Ovulation-stimulating drugs such as clomiphene, follicle-stimulating hormones, and IVF. 70 per cent who take fertility drugs ovulate and of those, half go on to conceive within six to nine months. Unfortunately, one in five of those pregnancies miscarries.

 

Fallopian tube blockage

 

The fallopian tubes are the channels between the uterus and the ovaries. Sometimes these tubes are to found to be blocked or at least one is blocked or there is scarring or other damage to the tube. This damage can lead to infertility. Around 20 to 25% of infertility is caused due to these factors.

Tubal infertility can be caused due to pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID). As an infection begins the body gets ready to attack. White blood cells and other fluids fill the tubes to fight the infection. If the body resistance is good it wins but in the bargain the fragile walls of the tube get scarred. Due to this, the end of the tube towards the ovaries can get partially or completely blocked and scarred tissues form on the outside of the tube. These circumstances can affect the functions of the ovaries and the fallopian tube and can lead to infertility. However if a PID is treated in the initial stages and controlled these damages will not occur.

Pelvic infections can also take place due to sexually transmitted infections like chlamydeous or gonorrhoea. Termination of pregnancy, miscarriage or difficulty at birth, intrauterine contraceptive methods could also contribute to PID. However the actual main cause of the infection is never known.

Thus if the fallopian tubes are not functioning right, they will not be able to carry the eggs from the ovary to the uterus. This malfunction will lead to more complications. The obvious damage being infertility.

But there are several other disorders blocked fallopian tubes can cause. So if you have any inclination of some fault in your tubes do not take it lightly. Show it to your medical doctor. It could save you a big deal.

If surgery fails, in vitro fertilisation with acupuncture is an option. Conception rates vary depending on the severity of the blockage and the amount of scar tissue that develops after surgery.

 

Most Common Causes of Infertility in Men and Treatment Options

 

It is estimated that as much as 15% of couples will have problems conceiving, which means that they have been trying to conceive for more than a year without success, or in cases woman is older than 35, if a couple is trying to conceive for 6 months without any progress.

The most common causes for difficulties in connection with fertility in men are described below, and in my opinion it is important to bring out that female problems account for 35-40% of all fertility problems, just the same as males account for being responsible for 35-40% of all fertility problems.

In men, the problem of infertility is referred to male tube blockages, sperm motility, quality and quantity problems and sperm problems that relate to sperm allergy.

Male tube blockages mean that tubes have problems to transport healthy and fertile sperm. The most common problem for this is problem related to varicose veins in testicles, but also STDs like chlamydia or gonorrhea can be a cause. Problem can be solved with surgery that repairs varicoceles, and about as 40% of males are within 6 to 9 months able to impregnate woman after the surgery.

Sperm problems are connected to sperm motility, sperm quality or sperm quantity, which means the problem relates to low sperm count, poor ability of sperm to move, or abnormally shaped sperm. There are certain drugs that can boost sperm production, and about 25% of males are able to impregnate woman after fertility drugs treatment. You may also try acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

Besides fertility drugs woman can receive partner’s sperm injection directly into the egg (the process is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection ICSI). With artificial insemination approximately 5- 20% of women become pregnant per cycle.

Another option for conception would be receiving donor sperm, which has a success rate of about 15% per attempt.

It was thought that sperm allergy is rare condition, but it is estimated that as much as 5-10% of infertile males and females are allergic to sperm. This does not necessarily mean they will have reactions visible to the eye, but it does mean that if they are allergic to sperm their body will have immune reactions to sperm, which cause them to produce antibodies that kill sperm cells. In males this is most common after vasectomy. It is possible to treat sperm allergy with a success rate of up to 20%. Sperm allergy can be treated with several methods, including sperm washing, intrauterine insemination, assisted conception treatments, and even with immunosuppressive drugs, such as cortisone and prednisone, but many doctors don’t recommend these drugs. Acupuncture and herbal medicine alone or the combination may assist all treatment above.